Schools
Bomb Threats, Lockdowns Spark Parents' Petition to District 113A
Parents in District 113A are fed up after multiple bomb threats and lockdowns at Old Quarry Middle School—the most recent on Nov. 20. Read about their petition to demand change.
Parents in Lemont-Bromberek District 113A are demanding answers after the third bomb threat in as many months at Old Quarry Middle School.
A bomb threat found on a bathroom wall Wednesday prompted a soft lockdown. Though students were not removed from classrooms, parents worry even a soft lockdown disrupts their children's school day. Some parents have started an online petition seeking action from Old Quarry Principal William Caron, interim Superintendent Dr. Pamela Hollich, and the District 113A board.
"It is unacceptable for this to continue," the petition reads. "Action is needed to prevent these threats from continuing and to find and punish those involved in making the threats.
"Our children’s education is being disrupted and their safety compromised."
A notice to parents said no classroom activities were disrupted during the lockdown. However, one parent said her child's math was shortened and lunch was late.
"This is no longer conducive to learning," the petition reads. "We need to stop waiting to catch someone and prevent these kids from continuing with this type of behavior."
In October, former superintendent Susan Birkenmaier said the matter is part of an ongoing discussion, and the district is "constantly looking at ways to improve security."
At the same meeting, Old Quarry Principal William Caron said the school was looking at a variety of ways to address the threats, starting with presentations by Lemont police officers.
Parents have not seen enough change, and many want followup on specific issues, including:
- Have any of the individuals responsible for any of the threats been caught, and what was the punishment?
- What preventative measures have been put in place to stop this from happening?
- In what way will parents be kept informed of future updates in regards to these matters? Creating a petition to get answers we are entitled to is unacceptable.
"Students lose focus, they become afraid, they are distracted from the most important parts of their school day. And it is all caused by one or two of their schoolmates who think it is OK to write something on a bathroom wall," Caron wrote.
A parent at the District 113A board meeting Nov. 20 called for increased communication from administration.
"Too many parents don't know what's going on," the parent said.
As of 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, 25 people had signed the petition.
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